The Rivers State
Government has confirmed three persons dead in an outbreak Lassa Fever in the
State.
The Acting Permanent
Secretary ,Ministry of Health, Dr Chinwe Atata, confirming this during a press
briefing to give an update on the status of the disease in the State said that
the ministry had earlier begun proactive effort o contain the outbreak.
Atata said “we have
received preliminary confirmation that three of the samples tested positive to
Lassa virus, the Rivers State Public Health Emergency Operation Centre had
earlier commenced proactive effort for containment of the outbreak.
”All hands are on deck
for facility decontamination, line-listing, presumptive prophylaxis and
surveillance to ensure public health safety and security of people.”
Atata, who is also
Director Planning, Research and Statistics assured that the state had procured
large quantities of anti-viral agents, adding that isolated centres had also
been setup across teaching hospitals in the State.
She called on
residents of Rivers to continue all necessary preventive measures and enjoined
all to promote good community hygiene to prevent rodents from entering homes.
